Letters from my fatherland: Community life

Over the years, I have realized the power of collective team efforts. Communities are a great example of the strength that lies in collaborative efforts.

Through my work at Pamoja Tunaweza, I had the chance to visit local hospitals in the Kilimanjaro Region.

Earlier this year I had the chance to visit the hospital where I was born, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

I have to admit that I’m in love with Kibong’oto! That small village that first captured my heart when I stepped there in January. I enjoyed its beautiful and calming environment.

Greetings from Tanzania – the land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar! I can’t believe that I’ve already spent over two months here and am finally getting around to sending my updates! I have so much to write about and can hopefully convey all that I want to say about this beautiful country through my letters.

Greetings! A few months ago I visited my old home in Moshi -- where my siblings and I grew up. For the first time since I came to Tanzania, I cried. Before my trip, I had imagined that landing at the Kilimanjaro International Airport for the first time would bring tears to my eyes.

This column is dedicated to my childhood group of ten. It was a close-knit group of friends from the community which actually consisted of more than ten friends.

Coffee beans have a rich history in Tanzania. Coffee was introduced to local farmers pre-independence by the Germans. Since the 1890s, coffee became an important source of income for local farmers.

During my time in Tanzania, one of the things that I came to realise is that daily challenges in every country are different. Of course, those living in the country have a more enlightened perspective than I do. During my brief stay in Tanzania, I came to appreciate the challenges that come with daily survival. I learned to embrace the challenges with a smile; as a way to persevere in a different environment.